Health First co-sponsors 10th Annual Men's Health Summit

FREE prostate cancer screening on June 11

"Prostate cancer is treatable with early detection - local men* are encouraged to attend and bring a friend or family member'

COCOA, FL - Several local healthcare providers are teaming up to provide FREE prostate cancer screening tests at the 10th Annual Men's Health Summit on Saturday, June 11, from 9 am to noon at the Health Sciences Building, Building 20, on the Brevard Community College (BCC) campus at 1519 Clearlake Road in Cocoa.

The event is co-sponsored by Health First, the Brevard Chapter of the NAACP, Parrish Medical Center, Wuesthoff Health System, and Brevard Community College.

The free PSA blood tests and digital rectal exams will be provided along with presentations on prostate cancer risk factors, recommended testing, and treatment methods related to nutrition and exercise.

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men. Additionally, one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer -though statistics cite a low number of deaths when the disease is detected early. Those at higher risk are recommended to get annual prostate cancer exams, and include:

1) Men over age 50 who have never had a PSA blood test and digital rectal exam

2) Men age 40 or older who have had a close relative (father, brother, or son) diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65

3) African-American men

*Those currently under the care of a physician for prostate cancer, or who have had surgery to remove the prostate, should not have the PSA blood test or digital rectal exam at this event. Instead, they are encouraged to bring a friend or family member who has not been tested before.

Co-sponsored by the Brevard Chapter of the NAACP, Health First, Parrish Medical Center, Wuesthoff Health System, and Brevard Community College, the Men's Health Summit is open to all residents of Brevard.

Screenings are performed on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, contact the Health First Community Engagement Center at 321-434-4335.